Most of you already know that one of my favorite Christmas passages comes from Zechariah's song of praise. "(All this is) because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the path …
Continue reading Supernova Savior: Light that Cannot be Contained
David and Beks sharing light with their church family Christmas Eve A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6 Here is a short message of greetings, love, celebration, and peace. Merry Christmas to everyone! …
candles at WFPC Silent night, holy nightAll is calm, all is brightRound yon Virgin, Mother and ChildHoly infant so tender and mildSleep in heavenly peaceSleep in heavenly peace - "Merry Christmas" CHRISTMAS EVE, 2021: One of the problems with nostalgia is its implicit suggestion that the past is more desirable than the future. Even though …
Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he didn’t have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. …
Continue reading The intrusion, the disruption, and the danger of Jesus
that (we) may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 This weekend, heading into the fourth week of Advent, I find myself wondering what exactly is all this expectation about? We talk about waiting, and anticipation, and this sense of journey, but a lot of …
- David and Beks with Geoffrey Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father; that will be enough for us.”Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I …
Continue reading A Picture of Love (understanding incarnation)
Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. …
Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit... [Elizabeth said] "As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in …
Continue reading Almost There! Entering into the Christmas story as grateful participants
I love to tell the story, for those who know it bestSeem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.(Arabella Hankey, 1866) Typically, video is not my best fit (you can tell …
Continue reading A video invitation to Maul-Hall – Derek tells a story from the living room
I think it's fair to say most pet owners ask themselves the following important question: "Is my dog a Christian?" So Saturday afternoon, walking around to grab a few photos of decorations, you can imagine how happy I was to see Max's reaction to the Nativity. Sheep? "Vaguely interesting." Shepherds? "Enticing smell, but not so …
Continue reading Christmas Decorations… and why I’m fairly sure that my dog is a Christian
Derek Maul: Words, Photographs, and Food for the Journey 